Centralia City Manager Patrick Sorensen has proposed several cuts in light of the $270,000 budget shortfall anticipated at the end of 2010, the most notable being the complete dismantling of the city’s Economic Development Department.

Cutting the embattled department would save the city more than $146,000 in salaries, benefits and other services.

“It will be noticed by certain segments of our community that we no longer have an individual dedicated to this function,” Sorensen said in a memo about the Economic Development Department. “However, as much as I support the value of this function, it is not a core service.”

    Sorensen stood behind the department earlier this year, but said now it came down to money the city doesn’t have.

    “Unfortunately, I have more numbers now that show the economic realities we’re in,” he said.

    The department came under fire in July, after city council members Ted Shannon and Ryan Barrett were vocal about a department they felt was “under performing.”

    Other councilors have agreed, in light of the 2010 budget concerns.

    “As our Economic Development Department is set up right now, I don’t think it’s been as effective as it could be,” Councilor Harlan Thompson said. “The people of Centralia rely on us to be good stewards of their money and keep the budget in the ballpark.”

Shannon said the department is not the only one that has had to be cut back, noting there is no money for much-needed major street repairs around the city beyond filling potholes and mandatory striping.

Economic Development Director Polo Enriquez declined to comment on the potential elimination of his department. Enriquez said he would be releasing a packet explaining the importance of his department to city officials, council members and potential council members later today.

    Additional proposed cuts would save the city just under $300,000. Over $38,000 would be saved with the closure of the Pearl Street Pool next year, eliminating a park supervisor position would save about $65,000, and $50,000 would be shaved from the police department.

    The reductions are anticipated to prevent any cuts that would need to be made during the middle of next year.

    “If we have to add we can add if we have the money, but its harder to cut,” Thompson said about making the first cuts the deepest.

    The cuts would also prevent the city from spending any of its reserves, which almost all councilors agreed would be “foolhardy,” Shannon said.

    Another budget workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall to discuss the Public Works and Centralia City Light departments.

    Marqise Allen: (360) 807-8237